.HE  PRACTICE  OF  THE 
^RESENCE  OF  GOD 

HE  BEST  RULE  OF  A  HOLY  UFB 


fornia 
nal 

ty 


BROTHER  LAWRENCE 


THE  WARD  THORNTONS 

112  Second  Avenue 
Chula  Vista,  California 


LIBRARY 


presented  to  the 

LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  •  SAN  DIF.GO 

by 

FRIENDS  OF  THE  LIBRARY 


Ward  L.   Thornton 


donor 


N  VERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 


n 


3  182202751  8810 


THE  PRACTICE 

OF  THE 
PRESENCE  OF  GOD 


CONVERSATIONS  and  LETTERS 
O/UJICHQLAS  (HERMAN  of  LORRAINE 
BROTHER  LAWRENCE 

Introduction  by 
Hannah  Whitall  Smith 


NEW  YORK 

Fleming  H.  Revell  Company 

Los  ANGELES  •  LONDON  •  GLASGOW 


Distributed  b> 

Scriven<  r  &  Co 

6007  Barton  Ave. 

Los  Angeles  38 


Copyright,  1895, 

by 
FLEMING  H.  REVELL  COMPANY. 


Translated  from  the  French 
Printed  in  the  United  States  of  America 


158  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  10,  N.Y. 

2173  Colorado  Blvd.,  Los  Angeles  41,  Calif. 

29  Ludgate  Hill,  London  E.C.  4,  England 

229  Bothwell  St.,  Glasgow  C.  2,  Scotland 


Contents 


INTRODUCTION  7 

PREFACE  i i 

CONVERSATIONS 

FIRST  CONVERSATION  1 3 

SECOND  CONVERSATION  1 6 

THIRD  CONVERSATION  2 1 

FOURTH  CONVERSATION  24 

LETTERS 

FIRST  LETTER  3  I 

SECOND  LETTER  33 

THIRD  LETTER  39 

FOURTH  LETTER  41 

FIFTH  LETTER  44 

SIXTH  LETTER  46 

SEVENTH  LETTER  48 

EIGHTH  LETTER  5O 

NINTH  LETTER  5  I 

TENTH  LETTER  5  3 


Contents 

ELEVENTH  LETTER  j  j 

TWELFTH  LETTER  j7 

THIRTEENTH  LETTER  jg 

FOURTEENTH  LETTER  £O 

FIFTEENTH  LETTER  6 1 


But  I  fear,  lest  by  any  means,  as  the  serpent  beguiled  Eve 
through  his  subtlety,  so  your  minds  should  be  corrupted  from 
the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ.— II  Corinthians  11:3. 

THE  value  of  this  little  book  is  its  extreme 
simplicity.  The  trouble  with  most  of  the  re- 
ligion of  the  day  is  its  extreme  complexity. 
"Brother  Lawrence"  was  not  troubled  with 
any  theological  difficulties  or  doctrinal  dilem- 
mas. For  him  these  did  not  exist.  His  one  single 
aim  was  to  bring  about  a  conscious  personal 
union  between  himself  and  God,  and  he  took 
the  shortest  cut  he  could  find  to  accomplish  it. 
The  result  can  best  be  described  in  his  own 
words:  "If  I  dare  use  the  expression,  I  should 
choose  to  call  this  state  the  bosom  of  God,  for 
the  inexpressible  sweetness  which  I  taste  and 
experience  there." 

What  Brother  Lawrence  did  all  can  do.  No 
theological  training  nor  any  especial  theologi- 
cal views  are  needed  for  the  blessed  "practice" 


8  Introduction 

he  recommended.  No  gorgeous  churches,  nor 
stately  cathedral,  nor  elaborate  ritual,  could 
either  make  or  mar  it.  A  kitchen  and  an  altar 
were  as  one  to  him;  and  to  pick  up  a  straw 
from  the  ground  was  as  grand  a  service  as  to 
preach  to  multitudes.  "The  time  of  business," 
said  he,  "does  not  with  me  differ  from  the  time 
of  prayer;  and  in  the  noise  and  clutter  of  my 
kitchen,  while  several  persons  are  at  the  same 
time  calling  for  different  things,  I  possess  God 
in  as  great  tranquillity  as  if  I  were  upon  my 
knees  at  the  blessed  sacrament." 

This  little  book,  therefore,  seems  to  me  one 
of  the  most  helpful  I  know.  It  fits  into  the  lives 
of  all  human  beings,  let  them  be  rich  or  poor, 
learned  or  unlearned,  wise  or  simple.  The 
woman  at  her  wash-tub,  or  the  stone-breaker 
on  the  road,  can  carry  on  the  "practice"  here 
taught  with  as  much  ease  and  as  much  assur- 
ance of  success  as  the  priest  at  his  altar  or  the 
missionary  in  his  field  of  work. 

All  must  feel  that  anything  that  brings  the 
religion  of  Christ  within  reach  of  overworked 
and  poverty-stricken  humanity,  in  the  midst 
of  its  ignorance  and  its  helplessness,  is  a  price- 
less boon,  and  this  is  what  Brother  Lawrence 
does.  His  "practice"  requires  neither  time,  nor 
talents,  nor  training.  At  any  moment,  in  the 


Introduction  9 

midst  of  any  occupation,  under  any  circum- 
stances, the  soul  that  wants  to  know  God  can 
"practise  the  presence"  and  can  come  to  the 
knowledge.  The  Lord  Christ  of  hosts  is  with 
us,  the  God  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge,  let  the 
"seemings"  be  what  they  may;  and  we  need 
but  to  recognize  this  as  a  continual,  ever-pres- 
ent fact,  and  the  inexpressible  sweetness  to 
which  Brother  Lawrence  attained  will  become 


ours. 


HANNAH  WHITALL  SMITH 


'ace 


THIS  book  consists  of  notes  of  several  con- 
versations had  with,  and  letters  written  by, 
Nicholas  Herman,  of  Lorraine,  a  lowly  and 
unlearned  man,  who,  after  having  been  a  foot- 
man and  soldier,  was  admitted  a  Lay  brother 
among  the  barefooted  Carmelites  at  Paris  in 
1666,  and  was  afterward  known  as  "Brother 
Lawrence." 

His  conversion,  which  took  place  when  he 
was  about  eighteen  years  old,  was  the  result, 
under  GOD,  of  the  mere  sight  in  midwinter  of 
a  dry  and  leafless  tree,  and  of  the  reflections  it 
stirred  respecting  the  change  the  coming  spring 
would  bring.  From  that  time  he  grew  emi- 
nently in  the  knowledge  and  love  of  GOD,  en- 
deavoring constantly  to  walk  "as  in  His  pres- 
ence." No  wilderness  wanderings  seem  to  have 
intervened  between  the  Red  Sea  and  the  Jordan 
of  his  experience.  A  wholly  consecrated  man, 
he  lived  his  Christian  life  through  as  a  pilgrim, 

ii 


12  Preface 

as  a  steward  and  not  as  an  owner,  and  died  at 
the  age  of  eighty,  leaving  a  name  which  has 
been  as  "ointment  poured  forth." 

The  "Conversations"  are  supposed  to  have 
been  written  by  M.  Beaufort,  Grand  Vicar  to 
M.  de  Chalons,  formerly  Cardinal  de  Noailles, 
by  whose  recommendation  the  "Letters"  were 
first  published. 

The  book,  within  a  short  time,  went  through 
repeated  editions,  and  has  been  a  means  of 
blessing  to  many  souls.  It  contains  very  much 
of  that  wisdom  which  only  lips  the  LORD  has 
touched  can  express,  and  which  only  hearts 
He  has  made  teachable  can  receive. 

May  this  edition  also  be  blessed  by  GOD,  and 
redound  to  the  praise  of  the  glory  of  His  grace. 


FIRST  CONVERSATION 

THE  first  time  I  saw  Brother  Lawrence  was 
upon  the  }d  of  August,  1666.  He  told  me  that 
GOD  had  done  him  a  singular  favor  in  his  con- 
version at  the  age  of  eighteen. 

That  in  the  winter,  seeing  a  tree  stripped  of 
its  leaves,  and  considering  that  within  a  little 
time  the  leaves  would  be  renewed,  and  after 
that  the  flowers  and  fruit  appear,  he  received 
a  high  view  of  the  providence  and  power  of 
GOD,  which  has  never  since  been  effaced  from 
his  soul.  That  this  view  had  perfectly  set  him 
loose  from  the  world,  and  kindled  in  him  such 
a  love  for  GOD  that  he  could  not  tell  whether 
it  had  increased  during  the  more  than  forty 
years  he  had  lived  since. 

That  he  had  been  footman  to  M.  Fieubert, 
the  treasurer,  and  that  he  was  a  great  awkward 
fellow  who  broke  everything. 

13 


14  Conversations 

That  he  had  desired  to  be  received  into  a 
monastery,  thinking  that  he  would  there  be 
made  to  smart  for  his  awkwardness  and  the 
faults  he  should  commit,  and  so  he  should 
sacrifice  to  GOD  his  life,  with  its  pleasures;  but 
that  GOD  had  disappointed  him,  he  having  met 
with  nothing  but  satisfaction  in  that  state. 

That  we  should  establish  ourselves  in  a  sense 
of  GOD'S  presence  by  continually  conversing 
with  Him.  That  it  was  a  shameful  thing  to 
quit  His  conversation  to  think  of  trifles  and 
fooleries. 

That  we  should  feel  and  nourish  our  souls 
with  high  notions  of  GOD;  which  would  yield 
us  great  joy  in  being  devoted  to  Him. 

That  we  ought  to  quicken — i.e.,  to  enliven 
— our  faith.  That  it  was  lamentable  we  had  so 
little;  and  that  instead  of  taking  faith  for  the 
rule  of  their  conduct,  men  amused  themselves 
with  trivial  devotions,  which  changed  daily. 
That  the  way  of  faith  was  the  spirit  of  the 
church,  and  that  it  was  sufficient  to  bring  us 
to  a  high  degree  of  perfection. 

That  we  ought  to  give  ourselves  up  to  GOD, 
with  regard  both  to  things  temporal  and  spir- 
itual, and  seek  our  satisfaction  only  in  the  ful- 
filling of  His  will,  whether  He  lead  us  by 


Conversations  1 5 

suffering  or  by  consolation,  for  all  would  be 
equal  to  a  soul  truly  resigned.  That  there 
needed  fidelity  in  those  drynesses  or  insensibili- 
ties and  irksomenesses  in  prayer  by  which  GOD 
tries  our  love  to  Him;  that  then  was  the  time 
for  us  to  make  good  and  effectual  acts  of  resig- 
nation, whereof  one  alone  would  oftentimes 
very  much  promote  our  spiritual  advancement. 

That  as  for  the  miseries  and  sins  he  heard  of 
daily  in  the  world,  he  was  so  far  from  wonder- 
ing at  them  that,  on  the  contrary,  he  was  sur- 
prised that  there  were  not  more,  considering 
the  malice  sinners  were  capable  of;  that,  for 
his  part,  he  prayed  for  them;  but  knowing  that 
GOD  could  remedy  the  mischiefs  they  did  when 
He  pleased,  he  gave  himself  no  further  trouble. 

That  to  arrive  at  such  resignation  as  GOD  re- 
quires, we  should  watch  attentively  over  all 
the  passions  which  mingle  as  well  in  spiritual 
things  as  in  those  of  a  grosser  nature;  that  GOD 
would  give  light  concerning  those  passions  to 
those  who  truly  desire  to  serve  Him.  That  if 
this  was  my  design,  viz.,  sincerely  to  serve  GOD, 
I  might  come  to  him  (Brother  Lawrence)  as 
often  as  I  pleased,  without  any  fear  of  being 
troublesome;  but  if  not,  that  I  ought  no  more 
to  visit  him. 


1 6  Conversations 

SECOND  CONVERSATION 

That  he  had  always  been  governed  by  love, 
without  selfish  views;  and  that  having  resolved 
to  make  the  love  of  GOD  the  end  of  all  his  ac- 
tions, he  had  found  reasons  to  be  well  satisfied 
with  his  method.  That  he  was  pleased  when  he 
could  take  up  a  straw  from  the  ground  for  the 
love  of  GOD,  seeking  Him  only,  and  nothing 
else,  not  even  His  gifts. 

That  he  had  been  long  troubled  in  mind 
from  a  certan  belief  that  he  should  be  damned; 
that  all  the  men  in  the  world  could  not  have 
persuaded  him  to  the  contrary;  but  that  he  had 
thus  reasoned  with  himself  about  it:  I  engaged 
in  a  religious  life  only  for  the  love  of  GOD,  and 
I  have  endeavored  to  act  only  for  Him;  what- 
ever becomes  of  me,  whether  I  be  lost  or  saved, 
I  will  always  continue  to  act  purely  for  the  love 
of  GOD.  /  shall  have  this  good  at  least,  that  till 
death  I  shall  have  done  all  that  is  in  me  to  love 
Him.  That  this  trouble  of  mind  had  lasted  four 
years,  during  which  time  he  had  suffered  much; 
but  that  at  last  he  had  seen  that  this  trouble 
arose  from  want  of  faith,  and  that  since  he  had 
passed  his  life  in  perfect  liberty  and  continual 
joy.  That  he  had  placed  his  sins  betwixt  him 
and  GOD,  as  it  were,  to  tell  Him  that  he  did  not 


Conversations  17 

deserve  His  favors,  but  that  GOD  still  contin- 
ued to  bestow  them  in  abundance. 

That  in  order  to  form  a  habit  of  conversing 
with  GOD  continually,  and  referring  all  we  do 
to  Him,  we  must  at  first  apply  to  Him  with 
some  diligence;  but  that  after  a  little  care  we 
should  find  His  love  inwardly  excite  us  to  it 
without  any  difficulty. 

That  he  expected,  after  the  pleasant  days 
GOD  had  given  him,  he  should  have  his  turn  of 
pain  and  suffering;  but  that  he  was  not  uneasy 
about  it,  knowing  very  well  that  as  he  could 
do  nothing  of  himself,  GOD  would  not  fail  to 
give  him  the  strength  to  bear  it. 

That  when  an  occasion  of  practising  some 
virtue  offered,  he  addressed  himself  to  GOD, 
saying,  LORD,  /  cannot  do  this  unless  Thou 
enablest  me;  and  that  then  he  received  strength 
more  than  sufficient. 

That  when  he  had  failed  in  his  duty,  he  only 
confessed  his  fault,  saying  to  GOD,  I  shall  never 
do  otherwise  if  You  leave  me  to  myself;  it  is 
You  who  must  hinder  my  falling,  and  mend 
what  is  amiss.  That  after  this  he  gave  himself 
no  further  uneasiness  about  it. 

That  we  ought  to  act  with  GOD  in  the  great- 
est simplicity,  speaking  to  Him  frankly  and 
plainly,  and  imploring  His  assistance  in  our 


1 8  Conversations 

affairs,  just  as  they  happen.  That  GOD  never 
failed  to  grant  it,  as  he  had  often  experienced. 

That  he  had  been  lately  sent  into  Burgundy, 
to  buy  the  provision  of  wine  for  the  society, 
which  was  a  very  unwelcome  task  for  him,  be- 
cause he  had  no  turn  for  business,  and  because 
he  was  lame  and  could  not  go  about  the  boat 
but  by  rolling  himself  over  the  casks.  That, 
however,  he  gave  himself  no  uneasiness  about 
it,  nor  about  the  purchase  of  the  wine.  That 
he  said  to  GOD,  //  was  His  business  he  was 
about,  and  that  he  afterward  found  it  very 
well  performed.  That  he  had  been  sent  into 
Auvergne,  the  year  before,  upon  the  same  ac- 
count; that  he  could  not  tell  how  the  matter 
passed,  but  that  it  proved  very  well. 

So,  likewise,  in  his  business  in  the  kitchen 
(to  which  he  had  naturally  a  great  aversion), 
having  accustomed  himself  to  do  everything 
there  for  the  love  of  GOD,  and  with  prayer, 
upon  all  occasions,  for  His  grace  to  do  his  work 
well,  he  had  found  everything  easy,  during  fif- 
teen years  that  he  had  been  employed  there. 

That  he  was  very  well  pleased  with  the  post 
he  was  now  in;  but  that  he  was  as  ready  to  quit 
that  as  the  former,  since  he  was  always  pleasing 
himself  in  every  condition  by  doing  little 
things  for  the  love  of  GOD. 


Conversations  19 

That  with  him  the  set  times  of  prayer  were 
not  different  from  other  times;  that  he  retired 
to  pray,  according  to  the  directions  of  his 
superior,  but  that  he  did  not  want  such  retire- 
ment, nor  ask  for  it,  because  his  greatest  busi- 
ness did  not  divert  him  from  GOD. 

That  as  he  knew  his  obligation  to  love  GOD 
in  all  things,  and  as  he  endeavored  so  to  do,  he 
had  no  need  of  a  director  to  advise  him,  but 
that  he  needed  much  a  confessor  to  absolve 
him.  That  he  was  very  sensible  of  his  faults, 
but  not  discouraged  by  them;  that  he  con- 
fessed them  to  GOD,  but  did  not  plead  against 
Him  to  excuse  them.  When  he  had  so  done,  he 
peaceably  resumed  his  usual  practice  of  love 
and  adoration. 

That  in  his  trouble  of  mind  he  had  consulted 
nobody,  but  knowing  only  by  the  light  of  faith 
that  GOD  was  present,  he  contented  himself 
with  directing  all  his  actions  to  Him,  i.e.,  doing 
them  with  a  desire  to  please  Him,  let  what 
would  come  of  it. 

That  useless  thoughts  spoil  all;  that  the  mis- 
chief began  there;  but  that  we  ought  to  reject 
them  as  soon  as  we  perceived  their  impertinence 
to  the  matter  in  hand,  or  our  salvation,  and  re- 
turn to  our  communion  with  GOD. 

That  at  the  beginning  he  had  often  passed 


io  Conversations 

his  time  appointed  for  prayer  in  rejecting 
wandering  thoughts  and  falling  back  into 
them.  That  he  could  never  regulate  his  devotion 
by  certain  methods  as  some  do.  That,  neverthe- 
less, at  first  he  had  meditated  for  some  time, 
but  afterward  that  went  off,  in  a  manner  he 
could  give  no  account  of. 

That  all  bodily  mortifications  and  other  ex- 
ercises are  useless,  except  as  they  serve  to  arrive 
at  the  union  with  GOD  by  love;  that  he  had 
well  considered  this,  and  found  it  the  shortest 
way  to  go  straight  to  Him  by  a  continual  ex- 
ercise of  love  and  doing  all  things  for  His  sake. 

That  we  ought  to  make  a  great  difference 
between  the  acts  of  the  understanding  and 
those  of  the  will;  that  the  first  were  compara- 
tively of  little  value,  and  the  others,  all.  That 
our  only  business  was  to  love  and  delight  our- 
selves in  GOD. 

That  all  possible  kinds  of  mortification,  if 
they  were  void  of  the  love  of  GOD,  could  not 
efface  a  single  sin.  That  we  ought,  without  anx- 
iety, to  expect  the  pardon  of  our  sins  from 
the  blood  of  JESUS  CHRIST,  only  endeavoring 
to  love  Him  with  all  our  hearts.  That  GOD 
seemed  to  have  granted  the  greatest  favors  to 
the  greatest  sinners,  as  more  signal  monuments 
of  His  mercy. 


Conversations  21 

That  the  greatest  pains  or  pleasures  of  this 
world  were  not  to  be  compared  with  what  he 
had  experienced  of  both  kinds  in  a  spiritual 
state;  so  that  he  was  careful  for  nothing  and 
feared  nothing,  desiring  only  one  thing  of  GOD, 
viz.,  that  he  might  not  offend  Him. 

That  he  had  no  scruples;  for,  said  he,  when 
I  fail  in  my  duty,  I  readily  acknowledge  it,  say- 
ing, I  am  used  to  do  so;  I  shall  never  do  other- 
wise if  I  am  left  to  -myself.  If  I  fail  not,  then  I 
give  GOD  thanks,  acknowledging  that  the 
strength  comes  from  Him. 

THIRD  CONVERSATION 

He  told  me  that  the  foundation  of  the  spir- 
itual life  in  him  had  been  a  high  notion  and 
esteem  of  GOD  in  faith;  which  when  he  had 
once  well  conceived,  he  had  no  other  care  at 
first  but  faithfully  to  reject  every  other 
thought,  that  he  might  perform  all  his  actions 
for  the  love  of  GOD.  That  when  sometimes  he 
had  not  thought  of  GOD  for  a  good  while,  he 
did  not  disquiet  himself  for  it;  but,  after  hav- 
ing acknowledged  his  wretchedness  to  GOD,  he 
returned  to  Him  with  so  much  the  greater 
trust  in  Him  as  he  had  found  himself  wretched 
through  forgetting  Him. 


22  Conversations 

That  the  trust  we  put  in  GOD  honors  Him 
much  and  draws  down  great  graces. 

That  it  was  impossible  not  only  that  GOD 
should  deceive,  but  also  that  He  should  long 
let  a  soul  suffer  which  is  perfectly  resigned  to 
Him,  and  resolved  to  endure  everything  for 
His  sake. 

That  he  had  so  often  experienced  the  ready 
succors  of  divine  grace  upon  all  occasions,  that 
from  the  same  experience,  when  he  had  busi- 
ness to  do,  he  did  not  think  of  it  beforehand; 
but  when  it  was  time  to  do  it,  he  found  in  GOD, 
as  in  a  clear  mirror,  all  that  was  fit  for  him  to 
do.  That  of  late  he  had  acted  thus,  without  an- 
ticipating care;  but  before  the  experience  above 
mentioned,  he  had  used  it  in  his  affairs. 

When  outward  business  diverted  him  a  little 
from  the  thought  of  GOD,  a  fresh  remembrance 
coming  from  GOD  invested  his  soul,  and  so 
inflamed  and  transported  him  that  it  was  diffi- 
cult for  him  to  contain  himself. 

That  he  was  more  united  to  GOD  in  his  out- 
ward employments  than  when  he  left  them 
for  devotion  and  retirement. 

That  he  expected  hereafter  some  great  pain 
of  body  or  mind;  that  the  worst  that  could 
happen  to  him  was  to  lose  that  sense  of  GOD 
which  he  had  enjoyed  so  long;  but  that  the 


Conversations  23 

goodness  of  GOD  assured  him.  He  would  not 
forsake  him  utterly,  and  that  He  would  give 
him  strength  to  bear  whatever  evil  He  permit- 
ted to  happen  to  him;  and  therefore  that  he 
feared  nothing,  and  had  no  occasion  to  consult 
with  anybody  about  his  state.  That  when  he 
had  attempted  to  do  it,  he  had  always  come 
away  more  perplexed;  and  that  as  he  was  con- 
scious of  his  readiness  to  lay  down  his  life  for 
the  love  of  GOD,  he  had  no  apprehension  of 
danger.  That  perfect  resignation  to  GOD  waj 
a  sure  way  to  heaven,  a  way  in  which  we  had 
always  sufficient  light  for  our  conduct. 

That  in  the  beginning  of  the  spiritual  life 
we  ought  to  be  faithful  in  doing  our  duty  and 
denying  ourselves;  but  after  that,  unspeakable 
pleasures  followed.  That  in  difficulties  we  need 
only  have  recourse  to  JESUS  CHRIST,  and  beg 
His  grace;  with  that  everything  became  easy. 

That  many  do  not  advance  in  the  Christian 
progress  because  they  stick  in  penances  and 
particular  exercises,  while  they  neglect  the  love 
of  GOD,  which  is  the  end.  That  this  appeared 
plainly  by  their  works,  and  was  the  reason  why 
we  see  so  little  solid  virtue. 

That  there  needed  neither  art  nor  science  for 
going  to  GOD,  but  only  a  heart  resolutely  de- 


24  Conversations 

termined  to  apply  itself  to  nothing  but  Him, 
or  for  His  sake,  and  to  love  Him  only. 

FOURTH  CONVERSATION 

He  discoursed  with  me  frequently,  and  with 
great  openness  of  heart,  concerning  his  manner 
of  going  to  GOD,  whereof  some  part  is  related 
already. 

He  told  me  that  all  consists  in  one  hearty 
renunciation  of  everything  which  we  are  sensi- 
ble does  not  lead  to  GOD.  That  we  might  ac- 
custom ourselves  to  a  continual  conversation 
with  Him,  with  freedom  and  in  simplicity. 
That  we  need  only  to  recognize  GOD  intimately 
present  with  us,  to  address  ourselves  to  Him 
every  moment,  that  we  may  beg  His  assistance 
for  knowing  His  will  in  things  doubtful,  and 
for  rightly  performing  those  which  we  plainly 
see  He  requires  of  us,  offering  them  to  Him 
before  we  do  them,  and  giving  Him  thanks 
when  we  have  done. 

That  in  this  conversation  with  God  we  are 
also  employed  in  praising,  adoring,  and  loving 
Him  incessantly,  for  His  infinite  goodness  and 
perfection. 

That,  without  being  discouraged  on  account 
of  our  sins,  we  should  pray  for  His  grace  with 


Conversations  25 

a  perfect  confidence,  as  relying  upon  the  in- 
finite merits  of  our  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST.  That 
GOD  never  failed  offering  us  His  grace  at  each 
action;  that  he  distinctly  perceived  it,  and 
never  failed  of  it,  unless  when  his  thoughts  had 
wandered  from  a  sense  of  GOD'S  presence,  or 
he  had  forgotten  to  ask  His  assistance. 

That  GOD  always  gave  us  light  in  our  doubts 
when  we  had  no  other  design  but  to  please 
Him. 

That  our  sanctification  did  not  depend  upon 
changing  our  works,  but  in  doing  that  for 
GOD'S  sake  which  we  commonly  do  for  our 
own.  That  it  was  lamentable  to  see  how  many 
people  mistook  the  means  for  the  end,  addicting 
themselves  to  certain  works,  which  they  per- 
formed very  imperfectly,  by  reason  of  their 
human  or  selfish  regards. 

That  the  most  excellent  method  he  had 
found  of  going  to  GOD  was  that  of  doing  our 
common  business  without  any  view  of  pleasing 
men,*  and  (as  far  as  we  are  capable)  purely 
for  the  love  of  GOD. 

That  it  was  a  great  delusion  to  think  that 
the  times  of  prayer  ought  to  differ  from  other 
times;  that  we  are  as  strictly  obliged  to  adhere 

*  Gal.  i:  10;  Eph.  6:  5,  6. 


26  Conversations 

to  GOD  by  action  in  the  time  of  action  as  by 
prayer  in  the  season  of  prayer. 

That  his  prayer  was  nothing  else  but  a  sense 
of  the  presence  of  GOD,  his  soul  being  at  that 
time  insensible  to  everything  but  divine  love; 
and  that  when  the  appointed  times  of  prayer 
were  past,  he  found  no  difference,  because  he 
still  continued  with  GOD,  praising  and  blessing 
Him  with  all  his  might,  so  that  he  passed  his 
life  in  continual  joy;  yet  hoped  that  GOD  would 
give  him  somewhat  to  suffer  when  he  should 
grow  stronger. 

That  we  ought,  once  for  all,  heartily  to  put 
our  whole  trust  in  GOD,  and  make  a  total  sur- 
render of  ourselves  to  Him,  secure  that  He 
would  not  deceive  us. 

That  we  ought  not  to  be  weary  of  doing 
little  things  for  the  love  of  GOD,  who  regards 
not  the  greatness  of  the  work,  but  the  love  with 
which  it  is  performed.  That  we  should  not 
wonder  if,  in  the  beginning,  we  often  failed  in 
our  endeavors,  but  that  at  last  we  should  gain 
a  habit,  which  will  naturally  produce  its  acts 
in  us,  without  our  care,  and  to  our  exceeding 
great  delight. 

That  the  whole  substance  of  religion  was 
faith,  hope,  and  charity,  by  the  practice  of 
which  we  become  united  to  the  will  of  GOD; 


^Conversations  27 

that  all  besides  is  indifferent,  and  to  be  used  as 
a  means  that  we  may  arrive  at  our  end,  and  be 
swallowed  up  therein,  by  faith  and  charity. 

That  all  things  are  possible  to  him  who  be- 
lieves; that  they  are  less  difficult  to  him  who 
hopes;  that  they  are  more  easy  to  him  who 
loves,  and  still  more  easy  to  him  who  perseveres 
in  the  practice  of  these  three  virtues. 

That  the  end  we  ought  to  propose  to  our- 
selves is  to  become,  in  this  life,  the  most  perfect 
worshipers  of  GOD  we  can  possibly  be,  as  we 
hope  to  be  through  all  eternity. 

That  when  we  enter  upon  the  spiritual  life, 
we  should  consider  and  examine  to  the  bottom 
what  we  are.  And  then  we  should  find  our- 
selves worthy  of  all  contempt,  and  not  deserv- 
ing indeed  the  name  of  Christians;  subject  to 
all  kinds  of  misery  and  numberless  accidents, 
which  trouble  us  and  cause  perpetual  vicissi- 
tudes in  our  health,  in  our  humors,  in  our  in- 
ternal and  external  dispositions;  in  fine,  per- 
sons whom  GOD  would  humble  by  many  pains 
and  labors,  as  well  within  as  without.  After 
this  we  should  not  wonder  that  troubles,  temp- 
tations, oppositions,  and  contradictions  hap- 
pen to  us  from  men.  We  ought,  on  the  con- 
trary, to  submit  ourselves  to  them,  and  bear 


28  Conversations 

them  as  long  as  GOD  pleases,  as  things  highly 
advantageous  to  us. 

That  the  greater  perfection  a  soul  aspires 
after,  the  more  dependent  it  is  upon  divine 
grace. 

*  Being  questioned  by  one  of  his  own  society 
(to  whom  he  was  obliged  to  open  himself)  by 
what  means  he  had  attained  such  an  habitual 
sense  of  GOD,  he  told  him  that,  since  his  first 
coming  to  the  monastery,  he  had  considered 
GOD  as  the  end  of  all  his  thoughts  and  desires, 
as  the  mark  to  which  they  should  tend,  and  in 
which  they  should  terminate. 

That  in  the  beginning  of  his  novitiate  he 
spent  the  hours  appointed  for  private  prayer 
in  thinking  of  GOD,  so  as  to  convince  his  mind 
of,  and  to  impress  deeply  upon  his  heart,  the 
divine  existence,  rather  by  devout  sentiments, 
and  submission  to  the  lights  of  faith,  than  by 
studied  reasonings  and  elaborate  meditations. 
That  by  this  short  and  sure  method  he  exer- 
cised himself  in  the  knowledge  and  love  of 
GOD,  resolving  to  use  his  utmost  endeavor  to 
live  in  a  continual  sense  of  His  presence,  and, 
if  possible,  never  to  forget  Him  more. 

That  when  he  had  thus  in  prayer  filled  his 

*  The  particulars  which  follow  are  collected  from  other  ac- 
counts of  Brother  Lawrence. 


Conversations  29 

mind  with  great  sentiments  of  that  infinite 
Being,  he  went  to  his  work  appointed  in  the 
kitchen  (for  he  was  cook  to  the  society) .  There 
having  first  considered  severally  the  things  his 
office  required,  and  when  and  how  each  thing 
was  to  be  done,  he  spent  all  the  intervals  of  his 
time,  as  well  before  as  after  his  work,  in  prayer. 

That  when  he  began  his  business,  he  said  to 
GOD,  with  a  filial  trust  in  Him:  O  my  GOD, 
since  Thou  art  with  me,  and  I  must  now,  in 
obedience  to  Thy  commands,  apply  my  mind 
to  these  outward  things,  I  beseech  Thee  to  grant 
me  the  grace  to  continue  in  Thy  presence',  and 
to  this  end  do  Thou  prosper  me  with  Thy  as- 
sistance, receive  all  my  works,  and  possess  all 
my  affections. 

As  he  proceeded  in  his  work  he  continued 
his  familiar  conversation  with  his  Maker,  im- 
ploring His  grace,  and  offering  to  Him  all  his 
actions. 

When  he  had  finished  he  examined  himself 
how  he  had  discharged  his  duty;  if  he  found 
well,  he  returned  thanks  to  GOD;  if  otherwise, 
he  asked  pardon,  and,  without  being  discour- 
aged, he  set  his  mind  right  again,  and  contin- 
ued his  exercise  of  the  presence  of  GOD  as  if 
he  had  never  deviated  from  it.  "Thus,"  said 
he,  "by  rising  after  my  falls,  and  by  frequently 


3O  Conversations 

renewed  acts  of  faith  and  love,  I  am  come  to  a 
state  wherein  it  would  be  as  difficult  for  me 
not  to  think  of  GOD  as  it  was  at  first  to  ac- 
custom myself  to  it." 

As  Brother  Lawrence  had  found  such  an  ad- 
vantage in  walking  in  the  presence  of  GOD,  it 
was  natural  for  him  to  recommend  it  earnestly 
to  others;  but  his  example  was  a  stronger  in- 
ducement than  any  arguments  he  could  pro- 
pose. His  very  countenance  was  edifying,  such 
a  sweet  and  calm  devotion  appearing  in  it  as 
could  not  but  affect  the  beholders.  And  it  was 
observed  that  in  the  greatest  hurry  of  business 
in  the  kitchen  he  still  preserved  his  recollection 
and  heavenly-mindedness.  He  was  never  hasty 
nor  loitering,  but  did  each  thing  in  its  season, 
with  an  even,  uninterrupted  composure  and 
tranquillity  of  spirit.  "The  time  of  business," 
said  he,  "does  not  with  me  differ  from  the  time 
of  prayer,  and  in  the  noise  and  clatter  of  my 
kitchen,  while  several  persons  are  at  the  same 
time  calling  for  different  things,  I  possess  GOD 
in  as  great  tranquillity  as  if  I  were  upon  my 
knees  at  the  blessed  sacrament." 


FIRST  LETTER 

SINCE  you  desire  so  earnestly  that  I  should 
communicate  to  you  the  method  by  which  I 
arrived  at  that  habitual  sense  of  GOD'S  presence, 
which  our  LORD,  of  His  mercy,  has  been  pleased 
to  vouchsafe  to  me,  I  must  tell  you  that  it  is 
with  great  difficulty  that  I  am  prevailed  on  by 
your  importunities;  and  now  I  do  it  only  upon 
the  terms  that  you  show  my  letter  to  nobody. 
If  I  knew  that  you  would  let  it  be  seen,  all  the 
desire  that  I  have  for  your  advancement  would 
not  be  able  to  determine  me  to  it.  The  account 
I  can  give  you  is: 

Having  found  in  many  books  different 
methods  of  going  to  GOD,  and  divers  practices 
of  the  spiritual  life,  I  thought  this  would  serve 
rather  to  puzzle  me  than  facilitate  what  I 
sought  after,  which  was  nothing  but  how  to 
become  wholly  GOD'S.  This  made  me  resolve 


32  Letters 

to  give  the  all  for  the  all;  so  after  having  given 
myself  wholly  to  GOD,  that  He  might  take 
away  my  sin,  /  renounced,  for  the  love  of  Him, 
everything  that  was  not  He,  and  I  began  to 
live  as  if  there  was  none  but  He  and  I  in  the 
world.  Sometimes  I  considered  myself  before 
Him  as  a  poor  criminal  at  the  feet  of  his  judge: 
at  other  times  I  beheld  Him  in  my  heart  as  my 
FATHER,  as  my  GOD.  I  worshiped  Him  the 
of  tenest  that  I  could,  keeping  my  mind  in  His 
holy  presence,  and  recalling  it  as  often  as  I 
found  it  wandered  from  Him.  I  found  no 
small  pain  in  this  exercise,  and  yet  I  continued 
it,  notwithstanding  all  the  difficulties  that  oc- 
curred, without  troubling  or  disquieting  my- 
self when  my  mind  had  wandered  involun- 
tarily. I  made  this  my  business  as  much  all  the 
day  long  as  at  the  appointed  times  of  prayer; 
for  at  all  times,  every  hour,  every  minute,  even 
in  the  height  of  my  business,  I  drove  away  from 
my  mind  everything  that  was  capable  of  inter- 
rupting my  thought  of  GOD. 

Such  has  been  my  common  practice  ever 
since  I  entered  in  religion;  and  though  I  have 
done  it  very  imperfectly,  yet  I  have  found 
great  advantages  by  it.  These,  I  well  know,  are 
to  be  imputed  to  the  mere  mercy  and  goodness 


Letters  3  3 

of  GOD,  because  we  can  do  nothing  without 
Him,  and  /  still  less  than  any.  But  when  we 
are  faithful  to  keep  ourselves  in  His  holy  pres- 
ence, and  set  Him  always  before  us,  this  not 
only  hinders  our  offending  Him  and  doing  any- 
thing that  may  displease  Him,  at  least  wilfully, 
but  it  also  begets  in  us  a  holy  freedom,  and,  if 
I  may  so  speak,  a  familiarity  with  GOD,  where- 
with we  ask,  and  that  successfully,  the  graces 
we  stand  in  need  of.  In  fine,  by  often  repeating 
these  acts,  they  become  habitual,  and  the  pres- 
ence of  GOD  rendered  as  it  were  natural  to  us. 
Give  Him  thanks,  if  you  please,  with  me,  for 
His  great  goodness  toward  me,  which  I  can 
never  sufficiently  admire,  for  the  many  favors 
He  has  done  to  so  miserable  a  sinner  as  I  am. 
May  all  things  praise  Him.  Amen. 
I  am,  in  our  LORD, 

Yours,  etc. 

SECOND  LETTER 

To  the  Reverend 

Not  finding  my  manner  of  life  in  books,  al- 
though I  have  no  difficulty  about  it,  yet,  for 
greater  security,  I  shall  be  glad  to  know  your 
thoughts  concerning  it. 


34  Letters 

In  a  conversation  some  days  since  with  a 
person  of  piety,  he  told  me  the  spiritual  life  was 
a  life  of  grace,  which  begins  with  servile  fear, 
which  is  increased  by  hope  of  eternal  life,  and 
which  is  consummated  by  pure  love;  that  each 
of  these  states  had  its  different  stages,  by  which 
one  arrives  at  last  at  that  blessed  consumma- 
tion. 

I  have  not  followed  all  these  methods.  On 
the  contrary,  from  I  know  not  what  instincts, 
I  found  they  discouraged  me.  This  was  the 
reason  why,  at  my  entrance  into  religion,  I 
took  a  resolution  to  give  myself  up  to  GOD,  as 
the  best  return  I  could  make  for  His  love,  and, 
for  the  love  of  Him,  to  renounce  all  besides. 

For  the  first  year  I  commonly  employed  my- 
self during  the  time  set  apart  for  devotion  with 
the  thought  of  death,  judgment,  heaven,  hell, 
and  my  sins.  Thus  I  continued  some  years,  ap- 
plying my  mind  carefully  the  rest  of  the  day, 
and  even  in  the  midst  of  my  business,  to  the 
presence  of  GOD,  whom  I  considered  always  as 
-with  me,  often  as  in  me. 

At  length  I  came  insensibly  to  do  the  same 
thing  during  my  set  time  of  prayer,  which 
caused  in  me  great  delight  and  consolation. 
This  practice  produced  in  me  so  high  an  esteem 


Letters  3  5 

for  GOD  that  faith  alone  was  capable  to  satisfy 
me  in  that  point.* 

Such  was  my  beginning,  and  yet  I  must  tell 
you  that  for  the  first  ten  years  I  suffered  much. 
The  apprehension  that  I  was  not  devoted  to 
GOD  as  I  wished  to  be,  my  past  sins  always 
present  to  my  mind,  and  the  great  unmerited 
favors  which  GOD  did  me,  were  the  matter  and 
source  of  my  sufferings.  During  this  time  I 
fell  often,  and  rose  again  presently.  It  seemed 
to  me  that  all  creatures,  reason,  and  GOD  Him- 
self were  against  me,  and  faith  alone  for  me.  I 
was  troubled  sometimes  with  thoughts  that  to 
believe  I  had  received  such  favors  was  an  effect 
of  my  presumption,  which  pretended  to  be  at 
once  where  others  arrive  with  difficulty;  at 
other  times,  that  it  was  a  wilful  delusion,  and 
that  there  was  no  salvation  for  me. 

When  I  thought  of  nothing  but  to  end  my 
days  in  these  troubles  (which  did  not  at  all 
diminish  the  trust  I  had  in  GOD,  and  which 
served  only  to  increase  my  faith) ,  I  found  my- 
self changed  all  at  once;  and  my  soul,  which 

*  /  suppose  he  means  that  all  distinct  notions  he  could  form 
of  GOD  were  unsatisfactory,  because  he  perceived  them  to  be 
unworthy  of  GOD;  and  therefore  his  mind  was  not  to  be 
satisfied  but  by  the  views  of  faith,  which  apprehend  GOD 
as  infinite  and  incomprehensible,  as  He  is  in  Himself,  and  not 
as  He  can  be  conceived  by  human  ideas. 


3  6  Letters 

till  that  time  was  in  trouble,  felt  a  profound 
inward  peace,  as  if  she  were  in  her  center  and 
place  of  rest. 

Ever  since  that  time  I  walk  before  GOD 
simply,  in  faith,  with  humility  and  with  love, 
and  I  apply  myself  diligently  to  do  nothing  and 
think  nothing  which  may  displease  Him.  I 
hope  that  when  I  have  done  what  I  can,  He 
will  do  with  me  what  He  pleases. 

As  for  what  passes  in  me  at  present,  I  cannot 
express  it.  I  have  no  pain  or  difficulty  about  my 
state,  because  I  have  no  will  but  that  of  GOD, 
which  I  endeavor  to  accomplish  in  all  things, 
and  to  which  I  am  so  resigned  that  I  would  not 
take  up  a  straw  from  the  ground  against  His 
order,  or  from  any  other  motive  than  purelv 
that  of  love  to  Him. 

I  have  quitted  all  forms  of  devotion  and  set 
prayers  but  those  to  which  my  state  obliges  me. 
And  I  make  it  my  business  only  to  persevere  in 
His  holy  presence,  wherein  I  keep  myself  by  a 
simple  attention,  and  a  general  fond  regard  to 
GOD,  which  I  may  call  an  actual  presence  of 
GOD;  or,  to  speak  better,  an  habitual,  silent, 
and  secret  conversation  of  the  soul  with  GOD, 
which  often  causes  me  joys  and  raptures  in- 
wardly, and  sometimes  also  outwardly,  so  great 


Letters  37 

that  I  am  forced  to  use  means  to  moderate  them 
and  prevent  their  appearance  to  others. 

In  short,  I  am  assured  beyond  all  doubt  that 
my  soul  has  been  with  GOD  above  these  thirty 
years.  I  pass  over  many  things  that  I  may  not 
be  tedious  to  you,  yet  I  think  it  proper  to  in- 
form you  after  what  manner  I  consider  myself 
before  GOD,  whom  I  behold  as  my  King. 

I  consider  myself  as  the  most  wretched  of 
men,  full  of  sores  and  corruption,  and  who  has 
committed  all  sorts  of  crimes  against  his  King. 
Touched  with  a  sensible  regret,  I  confess  to 
Him  all  my  wickedness,  I  ask  His  forgiveness, 
I  abandon  myself  in  His  hands  that  He  may 
do  what  He  pleases  with  me.  The  King,  full  of 
mercy  and  goodness,  very  far  from  chastising 
me,  embraces  me  with  love,  makes  me  eat  at 
His  table,  serves  me  with  His  own  hands,  gives 
me  the  key  of  His  treasures;  He  converses  and 
delights  Himself  with  me  incessantly,  in  a 
thousand  and  a  thousand  ways,  and  treats  me 
in  all  respects  as  His  favorite.  It  is  thus  I  con- 
sider myself  from  time  to  time  in  His  holy 
presence. 

My  most  useful  method  is  this  simple  atten- 
tion, and  such  a  general  passionate  regard  to 
GOD,  to  whom  I  find  myself  often  attached 


38  Letters 

with  greater  sweetness  and  delight  than  that  of 
an  infant  at  the  mother's  breast;  so  that,  if  I 
dare  use  the  expression,  I  should  choose  to  call 
this  state  the  bosom  of  GOD,  for  the  inexpressi- 
ble sweetness  which  I  taste  and  experience 
there. 

If  sometimes  my  thoughts  wander  from  it 
by  necessity  or  infirmity,  I  am  presently  re- 
called by  inward  motions  so  charming  and  de- 
licious that  I  am  ashamed  to  mention  them.  I 
desire  your  Reverence  to  reflect  rather  upon 
my  great  wretchedness,  of  which  you  are  fully 
informed,  than  upon  the  great  favors  which 
GOD  does  me,  all  unworthy  and  ungrateful  as 
I  am. 

As  for  my  set  hours  of  prayer,  they  are  only  a 
continuation  of  the  same  exercise.  Sometimes  I 
consider  myself  there  as  a  stone  before  a  carver, 
whereof  he  is  to  make  a  statue;  presenting  my- 
self thus  before  GOD,  I  desire  Him  to  form  His 
perfect  image  in  my  soul,  and  make  me  entirely 
like  Himself. 

At  other  times,  when  I  apply  myself  to 
prayer,  I  feel  all  my  spirit  and  all  my  soul  lift 
itself  up  without  any  care  or  effort  of  mine, 
and  it  continues  as  it  were  suspended  and  firmly 
fixed  in  GOD,  as  in  its  center  and  place  of  rest. 

I  know  that  some  charge  this  state  with  in- 


Letters  39 

activity,  delusion,  and  self-love.  I  confess  that 
it  is  a  holy  inactivity,  and  would  be  a  happy 
self-love  if  the  soul  in  that  state  were  capable 
of  it,  because,  in  effect,  while  she  is  in  this  re- 
pose, she  cannot  be  disturbed  by  such  acts  as 
she  was  formerly  accustomed  to,  and  which 
were  then  her  support,  but  which  would  now 
rather  hinder  than  assist  her. 

Yet  I  cannot  bear  that  this  should  be  called 
delusion,  because  the  soul  which  thus  enjoys 
GOD  desires  herein  nothing  but  Him.  If  this 
be  delusion  in  me,  it  belongs  to  GOD  to  remedy 
it.  Let  Him  do  what  He  pleases  with  me;  I  de- 
sire only  Him,  and  to  be  wholly  devoted  to 
Him.  You  will,  however,  oblige  me  in  sending 
me  your  opinion,  to  which  I  always  pay  a  great 
deference,  for  I  have  a  singular  esteem  for  your 
Reverence,  and  am,  in  our  LORD, 

Yours,  etc. 

THIRD  LETTER 

We  have  a  GOD  who  is  infinitely  gracious  and 
knows  all  about  our  wants.  I  always  thought 
that  He  would  reduce  you  to  extremity.  He 
will  come  in  His  own  time,  and  when  you  least 
expect  it.  Hope  in  Him  more  than  ever;  thank 
Him  with  me  for  the  favors  He  does  you,  par- 


40  Letters 

ticularly  for  the  fortitude  and  patience  which 
He  gives  you  in  your  afflictions.  It  is  a  plain 
mark  of  the  care  He  takes  of  you.  Comfort 
yourself,  then,  with  Him,  and  give  thanks  for 
all. 

I  admire  also  the  fortitude  and  bravery  of 

Mr. .  GOD  has  given  him  a  good  disposition 

and  a  good  will;  but  there  is  in  him  still  a  little 
of  the  world  and  a  great  deal  of  youth.  I  hope 
the  affliction  which  GOD  has  sent  him  will  prove 
a  wholesome  remedy  to  him,  and  make  him 
enter  into  himself.  It  is  an  accident  which 
should  engage  him  to  put  all  his  trust  in  Him 
who  accompanies  him  everywhere.  Let  him 
think  of  Him  as  often  as  he  can,  especially  in 
the  greatest  dangers.  A  little  lifting  up  of  the 
heart  suffices.  A  little  remembrance  of  GOD, 
one  act  of  inward  worship,  though  upon  a 
march,  and  a  sword  in  hand,  are  prayers,  which, 
however  short,  are  nevertheless  very  acceptable 
to  GOD;  and  far  from  lessening  a  soldier's 
courage  in  occasions  of  danger,  they  best  serve 
to  fortify  it. 

Let  him  then  think  of  GOD  the  most  he  can. 
Let  him  accustom  himself,  by  degrees,  to  this 
small  but  holy  exercise.  No  one  will  notice  it, 
and  nothing  is  easier  than  to  repeat  often  in 
the  day  these  little  internal  adorations.  Recom- 


Letters  41 

mend  to  him,  if  you  please,  that  he  think  of 
GOD  the  most  he  can,  in  the  manner  here  di- 
rected. It  is  very  fit  and  most  necessary  for  a 
soldier  who  is  daily  exposed  to  the  dangers  of 
life.  I  hope  that  GOD  will  assist  him  and  all  the 
family,  to  whom  I  present  my  service,  being 
theirs  and 

Yours,  etc. 

FOURTH  LETTER 

I  have  taken  this  opportunity  to  communi- 
cate to  you  the  sentiments  of  one  of  our  so- 
ciety, concerning  the  admirable  effects  and 
continual  assistances  which  he  receives  from 
the  presence  of  GOD.  Let  you  and  me  both 
profit  by  them. 

You  must  know  his  continual  care  has  been, 
for  about  forty  years  past  that  he  has  spent  in 
religion,  to  be  always  with  GOD,  and  to  do 
nothing,  say  nothing,  and  think  nothing  which 
may  displease  Him,  and  this  without  any  other 
view  than  purely  for  the  love  of  Him,  and  be- 
cause He  deserves  infinitely  more. 

He  is  now  so  accustomed  to  that  divine 
presence  that  he  receives  from  it  continual  suc- 
cors upon  all  occasions.  For  about  thirty  years 
his  soul  has  been  filled  with  joys  so  continual, 


42  Letters 

and  sometimes  so  great,  that  he  is  forced  to 
use  means  to  moderate  them,  and  to  hinder 
their  appearing  outwardly. 

If  sometimes  he  is  a  little  too  much  absent 
from  that  divine  presence,  GOD  presently  makes 
Himself  to  be  felt  in  his  soul  to  recall  him, 
which  often  happens  when  he  is  most  engaged 
in  his  outward  business.  He  answers  with  exact 
fidelity  to  these  inward  drawings,  either  by  an 
elevation  of  his  heart  toward  GOD,  or  by  a 
meek  and  fond  regard  to  Him;  or  by  such 
words  as  love  forms  upon  these  occasions,  as, 
for  instance,  My  GOD,  here  I  am  all  devoted  to 
Thee.  LORD,  make  me  according  to  Thy  heart. 
And  then  it  seems  to  him  (as  in  effect  he  feels 
it)  that  this  GOD  of  love,  satisfied  with  such 
few  words,  reposes  again,  and  rests  in  the  fund 
and  center  of  his  soul.  The  experience  of  these 
things  gives  him  such  an  assurance  that  GOD 
is  always  in  the  fund  or  bottom  of  his  soul  that 
it  renders  him  incapable  of  doubting  it  upon 
any  account  whatever. 

Judge  by  this  what  content  and  satisfaction 
he  enjoys  while  he  continually  finds  in  himself 
so  great  a  treasure.  He  is  no  longer  in  an  anx- 
ious search  after  it,  but  has  it  open  before 
him,  and  may  take  what  he  pleases  of  it. 

He  complains  much  of  our  blindness,  and 


Letters  43 

cries  often  that  we  are  to  be  pitied  who  con- 
tent ourselves  with  so  little.  GOD,  saith  he,  has 
infinite  treasure  to  bestow,  and  we  take  up 
with  a  little  sensible  devotion,  which  passes  in 
a  moment.  Blind  as  we  are,  we  hinder  GOD  and 
stop  the  current  of  His  graces.  But  when  He 
finds  a  soul  penetrated  with  a  lively  faith,  He 
pours  into  it  His  graces  and  favors  plentifully; 
there  they  flow  like  a  torrent  which,  after 
being  forcibly  stopped  against  its  ordinary 
course,  when  it  has  found  a  passage,  spreads  it- 
self with  impetuosity  and  abundance. 

Yes,  we  often  stop  this  torrent  by  the  little 
value  we  set  upon  it.  But  let  us  stop  it  no  more; 
let  us  enter  into  ourselves  and  break  down  the 
bank  which  hinders  it.  Let  us  make  way  for 
grace;  let  us  redeem  the  lost  time,  for  perhaps 
we  have  but  little  left.  Death  follows  us  close; 
let  us  be  well  prepared  for  it;  for  we  die  but 
once,  and  a  miscarriage  there  is  irretrievable. 

I  say  again,  let  us  enter  into  ourselves.  The 
time  presses,  there  is  no  room  for  delay;  our 
souls  are  at  stake.  I  believe  you  have  taken  such 
effectual  measures  that  you  will  not  be  sur- 
prised. I  commend  you  for  it;  it  is  the  one 
thing  necessary.  We  must,  nevertheless,  always 
work  at  it,  because  not  to  advance  in  the 
spiritual  life  is  to  go  back.  But  those  who  have 


44  Letters 

the  gale  of  the  HOLY  SPIRIT  go  forward  even 
in  sleep.  If  the  vessel  of  our  soul  is  still  tossed 
with  winds  and  storms,  let  us  awake  the  LORD, 
who  reposes  in  it,  and  He  will  quickly  calm  the 
sea. 

I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  impart  to  you 
these  good  sentiments,  that  you  may  compare 
them  with  your  own.  It  will  serve  again  to 
kindle  and  inflame  them,  if  by  misfortune 
(which  GOD  forbid,  for  it  would  be  indeed  a 
great  misfortune)  they  should  be,  though  never 
so  little,  cooled.  Let  us  then  both  recall  our  first 
fervors.  Let  us  profit  by  the  example  and  the 
sentiments  of  this  brother,  who  is  little  known 
of  the  world,  but  known  of  GOD,  and  ex- 
tremely caressed  by  Him.  I  will  pray  for  you; 
do  you  pray  instantly  for  me,  who  am,  in  our 
LORD, 

Yours,  etc. 

FIFTH  LETTER 

I  received  this  day  two  books  and  a  letter 

from  Sister ,  who  is  preparing  to  make  her 

profession,  and  upon  that  account  desires  the 
prayers  of  your  holy  society,  and  yours  in  par- 
ticular. I  perceive  that  she  reckons  much  upon 
them;  pray  do  not  disappoint  her.  Beg  of  GOD 


Letters  45 

that  she  may  make  her  sacrifice  in  the  view 
of  His  love  alone,  and  with  a  firm  resolution 
to  be  wholly  devoted  to  Him.  I  will  send  you 
one  of  these  books,  which  treat  of  the  presence 
of  GOD,  a  subject  which,  in  my  opinion,  con- 
tains the  whole  spiritual  life;  and  it  seems  to 
me  that  whoever  duly  practises  it  will  soon  be- 
come spiritual. 

I  know  that  for  the  right  practice  of  it  the 
heart  must  be  empty  of  all  other  things,  be- 
cause GOD  will  possess  the  heart  alone;  and  as 
He  cannot  possess  it  alone  without  emptying 
it  of  all  besides,  so  neither  can  He  act  there, 
and  do  in  it  what  He  pleases,  unless  it  be  left 
vacant  to  Him. 

There  is  not  in  the  world  a  kind  of  life  more 
sweet  and  delightful  than  that  of  a  continual 
conversation  with  GOD.  Those  only  can  com- 
prehend it  who  practise  and  experience  it;  yet 
I  do  not  advise  you  to  do  it  from  that  motive. 
It  is  not  pleasure  which  we  ought  to  seek  in 
this  exercise;  but  let  us  do  it  from  a  principle 
of  love,  and  because  GOD  would  have  us. 

Were  I  a  preacher,  I  should,  above  all  other 
things,  preach  the  practice  of  the  presence  of 
GOD;  and  were  I  a  director,  I  should  advise  all 
the  world  to  do  it,  so  necessary  do  I  think  it, 
and  so  easy,  too. 


46  Letters 

Ah!  knew  we  but  the  want  we  have  of  the 
grace  and  assistance  of  GOD,  we  should  never 
lose  sight  of  Him — no,  not  for  a  moment.  Be- 
lieve me;  make  immediately  a  holy  and  firm 
resolution  nevermore  wilfully  to  forget  Him, 
and  to  spend  the  rest  of  your  days  in  His  sacred 
presence,  deprived,  for  the  love  of  Him,  if  He 
thinks  fit,  of  all  consolations. 

Set  heartily  about  this  work,  and  if  you  do 
it  as  you  ought,  be  assured  that  you  will  soon 
find  the  effects  of  it.  I  will  assist  you  with  my 
prayers,  poor  as  they  are.  I  recommend  myself 
earnestly  to  yours  and  those  of  your  holy  so- 
ciety, being  theirs,  and  more  particularly 

Yours,  etc. 

SIXTH  LETTER 

(To  the  Same) 

I  have  received  from  Mrs. the  things 

which  you  gave  her  for  me.  I  wonder  that  you 
have  not  given  me  your  thoughts  of  the  little 
book  I  sent  to  you,  and  which  you  must  have 
received.  Pray  set  heartily  about  the  practice 
of  it  in  your  old  age;  it  is  better  late  than  never. 

I  cannot  imagine  how  religious  persons  can 
live  satisfied  without  the  practice  of  the  pres- 
ence of  GOD.  For  my  part,  I  keep  myself  re- 


Letters  47 

tired  with  Him  in  the  fund  or  center  of  my 
soul  as  much  as  I  can;  and  while  I  am  so  with 
Him  I  fear  nothing,  but  the  least  turning  from 
Him  is  insupportable. 

This  exercise  does  not  much  fatigue  the 
body;  it  is,  however,  proper  to  deprive  it  some- 
times, nay,  often,  of  many  little  pleasures  which 
are  innocent  and  lawful,  for  GOD  will  not  per- 
mit that  a  soul  which  desires  to  be  devoted  en- 
tirely to  Him  should  take  other  pleasures  than 
with  Him:  that  is  more  than  reasonable. 

I  do  not  say  that  therefore  we  must  put  any 
violent  constraint  upon  ourselves.  No,  we  must 
serve  GOD  in  a  holy  freedom;  we  must  do  our 
business  faithfully,  without  trouble  or  disquiet, 
recalling  our  mind  to  GOD  mildly,  and  with 
tranquillity,  as  often  as  we  find  it  wandering 
from  Him. 

It  is,  however,  necessary  to  put  our  whole 
trust  in  GOD,  laying  aside  all  other  cares,  and 
even  some  particular  forms  of  devotion, 
though  very  good  in  themselves,  yet  such  as 
one  often  engages  in  unreasonably,  because 
these  devotions  are  only  means  to  attain  to  the 
end.  So  when  by  this  exercise  of  the  presence  of 
GOD  we  are  with  Him  who  is  our  end,  it  is  then 
useless  to  return  to  the  means;  but  we  may 
continue  with  Him  our  commerce  of  love, 


48  Letters 

persevering  in  His  holy  presence,  one  while  by 
an  act  of  praise,  of  adoration,  or  of  desire;  one 
while  by  an  act  of  resignation  or  thanksgiving; 
and  in  all  the  ways  which  our  spirit  can  invent. 
Be  not  discouraged  by  the  repugnance  which 
you  may  find  in  it  from  nature;  you  must  do 
yourself  violence.  At  the  first  one  often  thinks 
it  lost  time,  but  you  must  go  on,  and  resolve 
to  persevere  in  it  to  death,  notwithstanding  all 
the  difficulties  that  may  occur.  I  recommend 
myself  to  the  prayers  of  your  holy  society, 
and  yours  in  particular.  I  am,  in  our  LORD, 

Yours,  etc. 

SEVENTH  LETTER 

I  pity  you  much.  It  will  be  of  great  impor- 
tance if  you  can  leave  the  care  of  your  affairs 

to ,  and  spend  the  remainder  of  your  life 

only  in  worshiping  GOD.  He  requires  no  great 
matters  of  us:  a  little  remembrance  of  Him 
from  time  to  time;  a  little  adoration;  some- 
times to  pray  for  His  grace,  sometimes  to  offer 
Him  your  sufferings,  and  sometimes  to  return 
Him  thanks  for  the  favors  He  has  given  you, 
and  still  gives  you,  in  the  midst  of  your 
troubles,  and  to  console  yourself  with  Him 
the  oftenest  you  can.  Lift  up  your  heart  to 


Letters  49 

Him,  sometimes  even  at  your  meals,  and  when 
you  are  in  company;  the  least  little  remem- 
brance will  always  be  acceptable  to  Him.  You 
need  not  cry  very  loud;  He  is  nearer  to  us  than 
we  are  aware  of. 

It  is  not  necessary  for  being  with  GOD  to  be 
always  at  church.  We  may  make  an  oratory  of 
our  heart  wherein  to  retire  from  time  to  time 
to  converse  with  Him  in  meekness,  humility, 
and  love.  Every  one  is  capable  of  such  familiar 
conversation  with  GOD,  some  more,  some  less. 
He  knows  what  we  can  do.  Let  us  begin,  then. 
Perhaps  He  expects  but  one  generous  resolu- 
tion on  our  part.  Have  courage.  We  have  but 
little  time  to  live;  you  are  near  sixty- four,  and 
I  am  almost  eighty.  Let  us  live  and  die  with 
GOD.  Sufferings  will  be  sweet  and  pleasant  to 
us  while  we  are  with  Him;  and  the  greatest 
pleasures  will  be,  without  Him,  a  cruel  punish- 
ment to  us.  May  He  be  blessed  for  all.  Amen. 

Accustom  yourself,  then,  by  degrees  thus  to 
worship  Him,  to  beg  His  grace,  to  offer  Him 
your  heart  from  time  to  time  in  the  midst  of 
your  business,  even  every  moment,  if  you  can. 
Do  not  always  scrupulously  confine  yourself 
to  certain  rules,  or  particular  forms  of  devo- 
tion, but  act  with  a  general  confidence  in  GOD, 
with  love  and  humility.  You  may  assure 


50  Letters 

of  my  poor  prayers,  and  that  I  am  their  ser- 
vant, and  particularly 

Yours  in  our  LORD,  etc. 

EIGHTH   LETTER 

(Concerning  Wandering  Thoughts  in  Prayer} 

You  tell  me  nothing  new;  you  are  not  the 
only  one  that  is  troubled  with  wandering 
thoughts.  Our  mind  is  extremely  roving;  but, 
as  the  will  is  mistress  of  all  our  faculties,  she 
must  recall  them,  and  carry  them  to  GOD  as 
their  last  end. 

When  the  mind,  for  want  of  being  suffi- 
ciently reduced  by  recollection  at  our  first 
engaging  in  devotion,  has  contracted  certain 
bad  habits  of  wandering  and  dissipation,  they 
are  difficult  to  overcome,  and  commonly  draw 
us,  even  against  our  wills,  to  the  things  of  the 
earth. 

I  believe  one  remedy  for  this  is  to  confess 
our  faults  and  to  humble  ourselves  before 
GOD.  I  do  not  advise  you  to  use  multiplicity  of 
words  in  prayer,  many  words  and  long  dis- 
courses being  often  the  occasions  of  wander- 
ing. Hold  yourself  in  prayer  before  GOD  like  a 
dumb  or  paralytic  beggar  at  a  rich  man's  gate. 
Let  it  be  your  business  to  keep  your  mind  in 


Letters  5 1 

the  presence  of  the  LORD.  If  it  sometimes 
wander  and  withdraw  itself  from  Him,  do  not 
much  disquiet  yourself  for  that:  trouble  and 
disquiet  serve  rather  to  distract  the  mind  than 
to  recollect  it;  the  will  must  bring  it  back  in 
tranquillity.  If  you  persevere  in  this  manner, 
GOD  will  have  pity  on  you. 

One  way  to  recollect  the  mind  easily  in  the 
time  of  prayer,  and  preserve  it  more  in  tran- 
quillity, is  not  to  let  it  wander  too  far  at  other 
times.  You  should  keep  it  strictly  in  the  pres- 
ence of  GOD;  and  being  accustomed  to  think 
of  Him  often,  you  will  find  it  easy  to  keep 
your  mind  calm  in  the  time  of  prayer,  or  at 
least  to  recall  it  from  its  wanderings. 

I  have  told  you  already  at  large,  in  my  former 
letters,  of  the  advantages  we  may  draw  from 
this  practice  of  the  presence  of  GOD.  Let  us 
set  about  it  seriously,  and  pray  for  one  an- 
other. 

Yours,  etc. 

NINTH  LETTER 

The  inclosed  is  an  answer  to  that  which  I 

received  from ;  pray  deliver  it  to  her.  She 

seems  to  me  full  of  good  will,  but  she  would  go 
faster  than  grace.  One  does  not  become  holy 


5  2  Letters 

all  at  once.  I  recommend  her  to  you;  we  ought 
to  help  one  another  by  our  advice,  and  yet 
more  by  our  good  examples.  You  will  oblige 
me  to  let  me  hear  of  her  from  time  to  time,  and 
whether  she  be  very  fervent  and  very  obedient. 

Let  us  thus  think  often  that  our  only  busi- 
ness in  this  life  is  to  please  GOD,  and  that  all  be- 
sides is  but  folly  and  vanity.  You  and  I  have 
lived  about  forty  years  in  religion  (i.e.,  a 
monastic  life) .  Have  we  employed  them  in  lov- 
ing and  serving  GOD,  who  by  His  mercy  has 
called  us  to  this  state,  and  for  that  very  end? 
I  am  filled  with  shame  and  confusion  when  I 
reflect,  on  one  hand,  upon  the  great  favors 
which  GOD  has  done,  and  incessantly  continues 
to  do  me;  and  on  the  other,  upon  the  ill  use  I 
have  made  of  them,  and  my  small  advance- 
ment in  the  way  of  perfection. 

Since  by  His  mercy  He  gives  us  still  a  little 
time,  let  us  begin  in  earnest;  let  us  repair  the 
lost  time;  let  us  return  with  a  full  assurance 
to  that  FATHER  of  mercies,  who  is  always 
ready  to  receive  us  affectionately.  Let  us  re- 
nounce, let  us  generously  renounce,  for  the 
love  of  Him,  all  that  is  not  Himself;  He  de- 
serves infinitely  more.  Let  us  think  of  Him  per- 
petually. Let  us  put  all  our  trust  in  Him.  I 
doubt  not  but  we  shall  soon  find  the  effects  of 


Letters  5  3 

it  in  receiving  the  abundance  of  His  grace, 
with  which  we  can  do  all  things,  and  without 
which  we  can  do  nothing  but  sin. 

We  cannot  escape  the  dangers  which  abound 
in  life  without  the  actual  and  continual  help 
of  GOD.  Let  us,  then,  pray  to  Him  for  it  con- 
tinually. How  can  we  pray  to  Him  without 
being  with  Him?  How  can  we  be  with  Him 
but  in  thinking  of  Him  often?  And  how  can 
we  often  think  of  Him  but  by  a  holy  habit 
which  we  should  form  of  it?  You  will  tell  me 
that  I  am  always  saying  the  same  thing.  It  is 
true,  for  this  is  the  best  and  easiest  method  I 
know;  and  as  I  use  no  other,  I  advise  all  the 
world  to  do  it.  We  must  know  before  we  can 
love.  In  order  to  know  GOD,  we  must  often 
think  of  Him;  and  when  we  come  to  love  Him, 
we  shall  then  also  think  of  Him  often,  for  our 
heart  will  be  with  our  treasure.  This  is  an  argu- 
ment which  well  deserves  your  consideration. 

I  am, 
Yours,  etc. 

TENTH  LETTER 

I  have  had  a  good  deal  of  difficulty  to  bring 

myself  to  write  to  Mr. ,  and  I  do  it  now 

purely  because  you  and  Madam desire  me. 


54  Letters 

Pray  write  the  directions  and  send  it  to  him. 
I  am  very  well  pleased  with  the  trust  which 
you  have  in  GOD;  I  wish  that  He  may  increase 
it  in  you  more  and  more.  We  cannot  have  too 
much  in  so  good  and  faithful  a  Friend,  who 
will  never  fail  us  in  this  world  nor  in  the  next. 

If  Mr. makes  his  advantage  of  the  loss 

he  has  had,  and  puts  all  his  confidence  in  GOD, 
He  will  soon  give  him  another  friend,  more 
powerful  and  more  inclined  to  serve  him.  He 
disposes  of  hearts  as  He  pleases.  Perhaps  Mr. 

was  too  much  attached  to  him  he  has  lost. 

We  ought  to  love  our  friends,  but  without  en- 
croaching upon  the  love  due  to  GOD,  which 
must  be  the  principal. 

Pray  remember  what  I  have  recommended 
to  you,  which  is,  to  think  often  on  GOD,  by 
day,  by  night,  in  your  business,  and  even  in 
your  diversions.  He  is  always  near  you  and  with 
you;  leave  Him  not  alone.  You  would  think  it 
rude  to  leave  a  friend  alone  who  came  to  visit 
you;  why,  then,  must  GOD  be  neglected?  Do 
not,  then,  forget  Him,  but  think  on  Him 
often,  adore  Him  continually,  live  and  die  with 
Him;  this  is  the  glorious  employment  of  a 
Christian.  In  a  word,  this  is  our  profession;  if 
we  do  not  know  it,  we  must  learn  it.  I  will  en- 


Letters  5  5 

deavor  to  help  you  with  my  prayers,  and  am, 
in  our  LORD, 

Yours,  etc. 

ELEVENTH  LETTER 

I  do  not  pray  that  you  may  be  delivered 
from  your  pains,  but  I  pray  GOD  earnestly  that 
He  would  give  you  strength  and  patience  to 
bear  them  as  long  as  He  pleases.  Comfort  your- 
self with  Him  who  holds  you  fastened  to  the 
cross.  He  will  loose  you  when  He  thinks  fit. 
Happy  those  who  suffer  with  Him.  Accustom 
yourself  to  suffer  in  that  manner,  and  seek 
from  Him  the  strength  to  endure  as  much,  and 
as  long,  as  He  shall  judge  to  be  necessary  for 
you.  The  men  of  the  world  do  not  comprehend 
these  truths,  nor  is  it  to  be  wondered  at,  since 
they  suffer  like  what  they  are,  and  not  like 
Christians.  They  consider  sickness  as  a  pain  to 
nature,  and  not  as  a  favor  from  GOD;  and  see- 
ing it  only  in  that  light,  they  find  nothing  in 
it  but  grief  and  distress.  But  those  who  con- 
sider sickness  as  coming  from  the  hand  of  GOD, 
as  the  effect  of  His  mercy,  and  the  means  which 
He  employs  for  their  salvation — such  com- 
monly find  in  it  great  sweetness  and  sensible 
consolation. 


5  6  Letters 

I  wish  you  could  convince  yourself  that  GOD 
is  often  (in  some  sense)  nearer  to  us,  and  more 
effectually  present  with  us,  in  sickness  than  in 
health.  Rely  upon  no  other  physician;  for,  ac- 
cording to  my  apprehension,  He  reserves  your 
cure  to  Himself.  Put,  then,  all  your  trust  in 
Him,  and  you  will  soon  find  the  effects  of  it  in 
your  recovery,  which  we  often  retard  by  put- 
ting greater  confidence  in  physic  than  in  GOD. 

Whatever  remedies  you  make  use  of,  they 
will  succeed  only  so  far  as  He  permits.  When 
pains  come  from  GOD,  He  only  can  cure  them. 
He  often  sends  diseases  of  the  body  to  cure  those 
of  the  soul.  Comfort  yourself  with  the  sover- 
eign Physician  both  of  the  soul  and  body. 

Be  satisfied  with  the  condition  in  whch  GOD 
places  you;  however  happy  you  may  think  me, 
I  envy  you.  Pains  and  sufferings  would  be  a 
paradise  to  me  while  I  should  suffer  with  my 
GOD,  and  the  greatest  pleasures  would  be  hell 
to  me  if  I  could  relish  them  without  Him.  All 
my  consolation  would  be  to  suffer  something 
for  His  sake. 

I  must,  in  a  little  time,  go  to  GOD.  What 
comforts  me  in  this  life  is  that  I  now  see  Him 
by  faith;  and  I  see  Him  in  such  a  manner  as 
might  make  me  say  sometimes,  I  believe  no 
more,  but  I  see.  I  feel  what  faith  teaches  us, 


Letters  57 

and  in  that  assurance  and  that  practice  of 
faith  I  will  live  and  die  with  Him. 

Continue,  then,  always  with  GOD;  it  is  the 
only  support  and  comfort  for  your  affliction. 
I  shall  beseech  Him  to  be  with  you.  I  present 
my  service. 

Yours,  etc. 

TWELFTH  LETTER 

If  we  were  well  accustomed  to  the  exercise 
of  the  presence  of  GOD,  all  bodily  diseases  would 
be  much  alleviated  thereby.  GOD  often  permits 
that  we  should  suffer  a  little  to  purify  our 
souls  and  oblige  us  to  continue  with  Him. 

Take  courage;  offer  Him  your  pains  inces- 
santly; pray  to  Him  for  strength  to  endure 
them.  Above  all,  get  a  habit  of  entertaining 
yourself  often  with  GOD,  and  forget  Him  the 
least  you  can.  Adore  Him  in  your  infirmities, 
offer  yourself  to  Him  from  time  to  time,  and 
in  the  height  of  your  sufferings  beseech  Him 
humbly  and  affectionately  (as  a  child  his 
father)  to  make  you  conformable  to  His  holy 
will.  I  shall  endeavor  to  assist  you  with  my 
poor  prayers. 

GOD  has  many  ways  of  drawing  us  to  Him- 
self. He  sometimes  hides  Himself  from  us;  but 


5  8  Letters 

faith  alone,  which  will  not  fail  us  in  time  of 
need,  ought  to  be  our  support,  and  the  founda- 
tion of  our  confidence,  which  must  be  all  in 
GOD. 

I  know  not  how  GOD  will  dispose  of  me.  I  am 
always  happy.  All  the  world  suffer;  and  I,  who 
deserve  the  severest  discipline,  feel  joys  so  con- 
tinual and  so  great  that  I  can  scarce  contain 
them. 

I  would  willingly  ask  of  GOD  a  part  of  your 
sufferings,  but  that  I  know  my  weakness,  which 
is  so  great  that  if  He  left  me  one  moment  to 
myself  I  should  be  the  most  wretched  man 
alive.  And  yet  I  know  not  how  He  can  leave 
me  alone,  because  faith  gives  me  as  strong  a 
conviction  as  sense  can  do  that  He  never  for- 
sakes us  until  we  have  first  forsaken  Him.  Let 
us  fear  to  leave  Him.  Let  us  be  always  with 
Him.  Let  us  live  and  die  in  His  presence.  Do 
you  pray  for  me  as  I  for  you. 

I  am, 
Yours,  etc. 

THIRTEENTH   LETTER 

(To  the  Same) 

I  am  in  pain  to  see  you  suffer  so  long.  What 
gives  me  some  ease  and  sweetens  the  feelings  I 


Letters  59 

have  for  your  griefs  is  that  they  are  proofs  of 
GOD'S  love  toward  you.  See  them  in  that  view 
and  you  will  bear  them  more  easily.  As  your 
case  is,  it  is  my  opinion  that  you  should  leave 
off  human  remedies,  and  resign  yourself  en- 
tirely to  the  providence  of  GOD.  Perhaps  He 
stays  only  for  that  resignation  and  a  perfect 
trust  in  Him  to  cure  you.  Since,  notwithstand- 
ing all  your  cares,  physic  has  hitherto  proved 
unsuccessful,  and  your  malady  still  increases, 
it  will  not  be  tempting  GOD  to  abandon  your- 
self in  His  hands  and  expect  all  from  Him. 

I  told  you  in  my  last  that  He  sometimes  per- 
mits bodily  diseases  to  cure  the  distempers  of 
the  soul.  Have  courage,  then;  make  a  virtue 
of  necessity.  Ask  of  GOD,  not  deliverance  from 
your  pains,  but  strength  to  bear  resolutely,  for 
the  love  of  Him,  all  that  He  should  please,  and 
as  long  as  He  shall  please. 

Such  prayers,  indeed,  are  a  little  hard  to 
nature,  but  most  acceptable  to  GOD,  and  sweet 
to  those  that  love  Him.  Love  sweetens  pains; 
and  when  one  loves  GOD,  one  suffers  for  His 
sake  with  joy  and  courage.  Do  you  so,  I  beseech 
you;  comfort  yourself  with  Him,  who  is  the 
only  Physician  of  all  our  maladies.  He  is  the 
FATHER  of  the  afflicted,  always  ready  to  help 
us.  He  loves  us  infinitely,  more  than  we  im- 


60  Letters 

agine.  Love  Him,  then,  and  seek  no  consolation 
elsewhere.  I  hope  you  will  soon  receive  it. 
Adieu.  I  will  help  you  with  my  prayers,  poor 
as  they  are,  and  shall  always  be,  in  our  LORD, 

Yours,  etc. 

FOURTEENTH  LETTER 

(To  the  Same) 

I  render  thanks  to  our  LORD  for  having  re- 
lieved you  a  little,  according  to  your  desire.  I 
have  been  often  near  expiring,  but  I  never  was 
so  much  satisfied  as  then.  Accordingly,  I  did 
not  pray  for  any  relief,  but  I  prayed  for 
strength  to  suffer  with  courage,  humility,  and 
love.  Ah,  how  sweet  it  is  to  suffer  with  GOD! 
However  great  the  sufferings  may  be,  receive 
them  with  love.  It  is  paradise  to  suffer  and  be 
with  Him;  so  that  if  in  this  life  we  would  en- 
joy the  peace  of  paradise  we  must  accustom 
ourselves  to  a  familiar,  humble,  affectionate 
conversation  with  Him.  We  must  hinder  our 
spirits'  wandering  from  Him  upon  any  oc- 
casion. We  must  make  our  heart  a  spiritual 
temple,  wherein  to  adore  Him  incessantly.  We 
must  watch  continually  over  ourselves,  that 
we  may  not  do  nor  say  nor  think  anything 
that  may  displease  Him.  When  our  minds  are 


Letters  61 

thus  employed  about  GOD,  suffering  will  be- 
come full  of  unction  and  consolation. 

I  know  that  to  arrive  at  this  state  the  begin- 
ning is  very  difficult,  for  we  must  act  purely 
in  faith.  But  though  it  is  difficult,  we  know 
also  that  we  can  do  all  things  with  the  grace 
of  GOD,  which  He  never  refuses  to  them  who 
ask  it  earnestly.  Knock,  persevere  in  knock- 
ing, and  I  answer  for  it  that  He  will  open  to 
you  in  His  due  time,  and  grant  you  all  at  once 
what  He  has  deferred  during  many  years. 
Adieu.  Pray  to  Him  for  me  as  I  pray  to  Him 
for  you.  I  hope  to  see  Him  quickly. 

I  am, 

Yours,  etc. 


FIFTEENTH   LETTER 

(To  the  Same) 

GOD  knoweth  best  what  is  needful  for  us, 
and  all  that  He  does  is  for  our  good.  If  we 
knew  how  much  He  loves  us,  we  should  always 
be  ready  to  receive  equally  and  with  indiffer- 
ence from  His  hand  the  sweet  and  the  bitter. 
All  would  please  that  came  from  Him.  The 
sorest  afflictions  never  appear  intolerable,  ex- 
cept when  we  see  them  in  the  wrong  light. 


62  Letters 

When  we  see  them  as  dispensed  by  the  hand 
of  GOD,  when  we  know  that  it  is  our  loving 
FATHER  who  abases  and  distresses  us,  our  suffer- 
ings will  lose  their  bitterness  and  become  even 
matter  of  consolation. 

Let  all  our  employment  be  to  know  GOD;  the 
more  one  knows  Him,  the  more  one  desires  to 
know  Him.  And  as  knowledge  is  commonly 
the  measure  of  love,  the  deeper  and  more  ex- 
tensive our  knowledge  shall  be,  the  greater  will 
be  our  love;  and  if  our  love  of  GOD  were  great, 
we  should  love  Him  equally  in  pains  and  plea- 
sures. 

Let  us  not  content  ourselves  with  loving  GOD 
for  the  mere  sensible  favors,  how  elevated  so- 
ever, which  He  has  done  or  may  do  us.  Such 
favors,  though  never  so  great,  cannot  bring  us 
so  near  to  Him  as  faith  does  in  one  simple  act. 
Let  us  seek  Him  often  by  faith.  He  is  within 
us;  seek  Him  not  elsewhere.  If  we  do  love  Him 
alone,  are  we  not  rude,  and  do  we  not  deserve 
blame,  if  we  busy  ourselves  about  trifles  which 
do  not  please  and  perhaps  offend  Him?  It  is  to 
be  feared  these  trifles  will  one  day  cost  us  dear. 

Let  us  begin  to  be  devoted  to  Him  in  good 
earnest.  Let  us  cast  everything  besides  out  of 
our  hearts.  He  would  possess  them  alone.  Beg 
this  favor  of  Him.  If  we  do  what  we  can  on 


Letters  63 

our  parts,  we  shall  soon  see  that  change 
wrought  in  us  which  we  aspire  after.  I  cannot 
thank  Him  sufficiently  for  the  relaxation  He 
has  vouchsafed  you.  I  hope  from  His  mercy 
the  favor  to  see  Him  within  a  few  days.*  Let 
us  pray  for  one  another. 

I  am,  in  our  LORD, 

Yours,  etc. 

*  He  took  to  his  bed  two  days  after,  and  died  within  the 
week. 


University  of  California 

SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 

405  Hilgard  Avenue,  Los  Angeles,  CA  90024-1388 

Return  this  material  to  the  library 

from  which  it  was  borrowed. 


A     000695132     1 


Social  Sciences  &  Humanities  Library 

University  of  California,  San  Diego 


Please  Note:  This  item  is  subject  to  recall. 

Date  Due 

UhU  081! 

99 

Cl  39  (5/97) 


UCSD  Lib. 


Univers: 

South 

Libr, 


